Oyster Palma Regatta day 2 - Coastal race to Andraitx
by Oyster Marine on 1 Oct 2011
Day two - Oyster Palma Regatta 2011 Oyster marine
Oyster Palma Regatta third race was a 20 mile coastal race, sponsored by regatta partner Lewmar, to the enchanting Puerto Andraitx, on the southwest tip of Mallorca.
Although the start for the second day of racing was only a short hop out in the bay of Palma, it was an early start for the Oyster fleet in preparation for race three. With great efficiency, the 30-yacht Oyster armada left Real Club Nautico to make their way to the starting area.
Sailing on board the beautiful Oyster 54, Light Lana are three members of the Bayerisher Yacht Club, Hansjochen Bludau, Heinz Löhr and Oliver Glück, guests of Oyster Marine at the regatta by way of the German club winning the prestigious Ski Yachting competition run by the Gstaad Yacht Club which is supported by Oyster.
Heinz Löhr first came to Palma in 1973 and the island has changed significantly since then as he explains. 'I came here for the first time nearly 40 years ago and Andraitx was just a little fishing village then, it is very different now, but the yacht club swimming pool will be a great place to cool down after today's race. My sincere thanks for the invitation to take part in the Oyster Palma regatta and becoming a member of the Oyster family. I am thoroughly enjoying the friendly atmosphere and excellent organisation. In Munich we race Dragons on the lake; sailing on Light Lana is quite an experience.'
A light northeasterly breeze provided a downwind start for the race to Andraitx with many yachts choosing to fly spinnakers bound for the Cala Figuera lighthouse, which marks the entrance to the sparkling bay. The first leg of the course tested boat-handling skills, as yachts gybed back and forth to stay in the best pressure to exit the bay. Gerd and Annemarie Köhlmoos sailing their Oyster 54, Sarabande got away well under spinnaker and showed a clean pair of heels to the rest of the fleet, choosing to sail out into the middle of the bay. However, Mike Freeman's Oyster 575, Can Do Too, decided on a different approach, hugging the coastline under genoa. The race was a light wind affair, requiring concentration from sail trimmers, using every puff of wind at their disposal. By the time the race leaders reached the end of the bay, a weak sea breeze started to form, counteracting the gradient wind and yachts were struggling for speed. Race Officer, John Grandy made the decision to shorten the course due to lack of wind at Islas el Toro.
In Class 2, Alberto Vignatelli's Oyster 72, Albertone3, continued their consistent form by taking third place. Whilst Dario Galvão's Brazilian Oyster 655, Solway Mist II had another great day on the water taking second place. Mike Freeman's Oyster 575, Can Do Too made it a hat-trick, taking their third win in a row. However, the class is proving extremely competitive, Richard Smith's Oyster 655, Sotto Vento, and the Oyster 82, Starry Night of the Caribbean, whose owners are veterans of 25 Oyster regattas between them, were also in the hunt for the prizes.
In Class 1, Rudolph Kagi and his crew on the Oyster 56, Magic Spirit scored their first podium finish by taking third place in today's race. Stuart and Carolyn Popham's Spirit of Spring will be delighted with their performance today, as they were the first Oyster 56 to cross the finish line to claim second place in Class 1. However, Gerd and Annemarie Köhlmoos' Oyster 54, Sarabande sailed a near perfect race, to take line honours and win by over ten minutes after time correction.
After racing, the Oyster fleet enjoyed the stunning view of the cliffs along the southwest tip of Mallorca, including the gateway to Puerto Andraitx, Cap de sa Mola. The rocky headland is 130 metres high, a breathtaking sheer rock face, plunging into crystalline blue waters, giving one of the most dramatic views anywhere in the Balearic Islands. Puerto Andraitx is a veritable paradise and the Oyster family enjoyed the full hospitality of the yacht club before being taken by specially chartered coaches for dinner at the Bodegas Santa Catarina Vineyard, set in one of the most beautiful valleys of the Sierra de Tramuntana. The award winning wines are produced from local and international grape varieties, the Oyster family was treated to a refreshing Prensal Blanc on arrival, followed by a rich and complex Cabernet Sauvignon, all grown and produced on the estate. A traditional paella, cooked in giant sized authentic paella pans during the wine tasting, was served inside the majestic barrel vaulted stone wine store. A magnificent setting and a rare treat laid on especially for Oyster owners and guests taking part in Oyster's Palma Regatta.
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